Acquired Platelet Secretion Disorder

Here is a recent note from Lauren Smith Helfgott, applications specialist at Chrono-log Corporation:

“Hello, George. A clinician and I were recently discussing platelet aspirin-like defect (secretion disorder). He came across slides 28 and 30 from the Fritsma Factor audio module Platelet Function Testing Part 2 and sent them over. The tracings are labeled ‘aspirin or aspirin-like (secretion) disorder,’ and are attributed to Edward Masel,University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester NY, dated 3/22/06. According to our communications with Ed, these tracings are actually from a patient with an acquired secretion defect due to platelet antibodies. We just wanted you to be aware that this patient had a platelet secretion defect as a result of antibodies; not an inherited secretion disorder.”
Thank you, Lauren, I appreciate the update. Lauren sent the case document with the original tracings, which illustrate the efficacy of lumiaggregometry, documenting reduced secretion but normal aggregation in response to agonists thrombin, ADP, collagen, and arachidonic acid. For in-depth information on platelet whole blood lumiaggregometry, please refer also to my December 28, 2012 post, Platelet Function Testing and the Bleeding Time.